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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Who's That Lady?

Believe it or not, this lovely figure of a woman is actually a medical instrument! It’s known as a “doctor’s lady”.

They originated in China from as early as the Ming Dynasty (1300’s) and were still used up until 100 years ago.

They are small carvings depicting a nude female in a recumbent position, supporting her head on her right arm, with her left arm resting demurely on her body.

Traditionally, Chinese male physicians used them so a female patient could indicate the location of her discomfort in a modest fashion. This eliminated the shame of having to show or point to her own body, which was strictly taboo.

The figures were made from various materials such as ivory, resin, semiprecious stone, or soapstone.

They are typically 4 to 10 inches long, often with a base in the form of a couch.

Back then, they would have likely used a pointing stick carved as a hand with the index finger extended to point to various areas of the body. That way the doctor wouldn’t even have physical contact with the figure, taking the level of modesty one degree further. Sadly, those pointers are even harder to find than the figures!

Although these “doctor’s ladies” are highly prized and collected among physicians, I find them to be beautiful as well as fascinating too. They show just how we’ve come as women. I'm always keeping a look out and hope to find a few more someday.

Hugs,

Patti

And thank you all for participating in our "What's It Wednesday" party!

What an interesting story, I learned something as I always do here, from you lovely ladies. Ok, I'm totally in love with the figurine, I just adore oriental everything, I should send you my address just in case you don't want her anymore!!!! Gorgeous piece. Thanks for having me once more. Hugs,FABBY

Oh my gosh Patti, those little ladies are incredible!... I have never, ever heard of those and I probably will never see one in person although I would love to! I love hearing the story behind them too... in a world gone crazy these days, a little modesty would not hurt anyone... love to you, hello to Paula!... xoxo Julie Marie

First of all, thank you so much for featuring me this week along with so many talented people...I am truly honored....

I must say that I have never heard of those physician's "ladies"...they are beautiful and so exquisitely made..I can see that they are well sought after...I love learning each week of a remarkable item that you collect...I feel as if I am reading a page from an antique resource guide each week...I love it!...

I had heard and seen these Dr.s ladies I think on the Antique Roadshow. The one you are showing is just beautiful. The whole story is so fascinating. Thanks for sharing and for another great linky party.

these are pretty amazing.....Thank you for sharing this as I have never heard or don't think I've ever seen them unless I didn't know what I was looking at. I will sure keep a look out now. Fascinating.... and thank you for hosting WIW xo

I have never heard of the "doctor's lady" in all the years I have been in healthcare but of coarse it makes perfect sense. Now I will have to be on the lookout for them too! And thank you so much for featuring my buffalo style mushrooms! I bought more of the ingredients to make them again just yesterday! I am now totally convinced that you ladies must at some point come visit me so I can cook for you!

Hi Patti,those figurines are so charming. And so well shaped! Would be much nicer to use them at the doctor than to show myself. LOL Thank you for sharing this wonderful and very interesting figurines. I hope you will find some more for the collection.best greetings, Johanna

Patti,I can see why you opt to collect them, they really are amazing. Knowing what they were meat for in medical use makes them that much more intriguing to collect, you inspired me to want to try and find one of my own, and the pointer of course.

Thank you sweet dear sister friend for your beautifullness gracing my place and leaving such a comment as you did, its always encouraging when a comment comes in from you, you who collect one or more of everything, knowing your art so well.

I have never, ever seen anything like this! Patti, you are truly a collector of fine antiques! AND MY DEAR, how lovely to see your comment last night! I hope you are well and HAPPY after all that testing! We are done with our MCA reading assessments, but the math is coming down the pike in two weeks. Then, more of the excitement will build as the kids experience more sunshine and energy and we teachers just figure that there is just nothing we can do but go with the flow!!!!! I had a wonderful break and thank you for asking! How long have you been teaching? My colleagues are giving me a going an AU REVOIR party on May 11 and though I am happy about my decision to leave, I think I will need a box of kleenex at the party; GOOD BYES are hard for me!

Reading through this piece of information,I realize there is yet so much to learn and know,its so very fascinating.I'm getting hooked on to your lovely blog.Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement in my last post and for hosting the party.I am linking up here today with my "Sketches in B/W."

Dear Patti, you are the one who introduced this fascinating piece to me many posts ago...it is so beautiful.Thank so much for stopping by, and creating really feeds the soul, doesn't it?Have a splendid weekend, sweet friend..xoxo,- Irina

Thank you so much for the party and for introducing something I have never seen before.That is what I like about real collectors -you don't just show off, you educate people.Thanks again and have a lovely day!

Hi Patti: I'm following you now. Beautiful blog and those Dr.'s womens are amazing. I had never heard that story before. How many are you fortunate enough to have? I am excited to read more of your posts..Happy Weekend..Judy.. Thank you so much for your nice comments to me.

LOL...like I said before you need to come to N.J. so I can totally cook for you! Thank you Patti for your recent comment on the bacon and egg cupcake I posted on 21 Rosemary Lane! Love you gals...you are the absolute best!! Thanks again for the feature this week...such a special honor!

The Ladies of Ivy and Elephants

We are Moms, dreamers, visionaries, and creators. Our love for all things vintage and Victorian is evident throughout our homes. We are passionate about our families, friends, food, and fabulous finds. We are Ivy & Elephants.